The Wendigo is one of most fearsome and well-known monsters from the myths of the Algonquian tribes around the Great Lakes. Yet, many people have misunderstood and formed a completely different creature when they think of a Wendigo.
The Wendigo is widespread; it is found in Anishinaabe, Cree, Innu, Saulteaux, Naskapi, and Nakota folklore, among many others. Many people think of a Wendigo as a being with a skeletal stag head and a powerful body with magical powers which is a cold-blooded killer.
The Wendigo in Native folklore, however, is a huge, emaciated, pale, and ghastly humanoid. In some tales, it can speak, use tools, and make them as well. Sometimes, the Wendigo is a spirit that possesses normal people. So, what’s the story on the Wendigo?
It is dark, and the wind howls. What would become Ontario and Minnesota are not particularly good places to live in midwinter. Wolves will be hunting and there is no meat. In these desperate times, many of immoral hearts start to murder and cannibalize their fellow people. Once one has eaten another human, their heart freezes over and they turn into a Wendigo. This transformation is gradual and is not noticed until the newborn Wendigo has eaten many people.
Once the Wendigo has fully transformed, it grows ravenously hungry. This hunger can never be satisfied and the Wendigo lusts for human flesh. Whenever it eats, it grows bigger, therefore it is never full. After this transformation, one may detect the Wendigo by the foul rotten odor or sudden chills that mark it’s presence. However, the Wendigo is unkillable except by taking out its frozen heart and melting it in a fire. After that, one must bury the remains of the Wendigo and place a protective totem over it. Otherwise, the Wendigo’s spirit may possess others.
Well, that’s the story on the Wendigo. I hope you enjoyed this spooky story and don’t eat people, okay?
Anay Ganesh 